Chapter 34
Chapter 34 RYN
I rubbed my eyes and my mouth opened in a yawn as 1 stirred and stretched in bed. I had been lying on my side, facing the wall but when I turned, something caught my eye and 1 quickly sat up in bed. My heart began to race as I saw the dark figure of the mutant beast standing at the entrance watching me with red, glowing eyes. "Ryn." It slurred. "No! Stay away from me." I shook my head, as panic seized me.
Rvn
The
The
beast crouched on all fours, baring its sharp teeth, ready to jump on me and that's when I jerked awake in bed. "Ryn, wake up
Someone was touching me and in a blind form of attack, I reached out and scratched the person. He grabbed my hand and held it still and that's when I realized it was Prince Theon. "It's okay. You're safe." He said, and I noticed something on his cheek. "You're bleeding." I stated.
He gently let my hand go and brought out a handkerchief to wipe the blood off. "I'm fine. I healed." He replied, going to the trash can but my focus was now on my hands, they had grown into full blown claws. I blinked in surprise, feeling a mixture of fear, excitement and worry. This . This was the first time in years that my claws were coming out. Was I getting my wolf back?
I remembered my ex-Alpha's words, "Keep your wolf on a leash or you're going to regret it and ever since then, I hadn't been able to shift into my wolf or transform properly. I had no idea what he did to me to stunt my transformation, all I knew was that I couldn't let my wolf take control at all.
Now I wonder if this change was a good thing or not.
"Are you okay?" Theon asked, drawing my attention.
I raised my hands to show him my claws. "I can't seem to retract them." Theon shoved his hands in his pocket, observing my hands. "You're still in fight or flight mode. So whatever you saw in your nightmare triggered your protective response. You need to find a way to tell your nervous system to calm down." "How?
"Take a deep breath. In and out."
I obeyed and let him guide me and soon after my claws retracted. I stared at my normal hands in awe. "Thank you." I smiled, "and sorry about your cheek. I didn't mean to hurt you,
"I know, I'm just glad you're okay." He said. "On behalf of the center, I really apologize for what happened. Coach Dutton will be dealt with accordingly."
I froze at the mention of the man who tried to rape me, and traumatize me in one day. I also remembered how he had. snuck into my room and planted his hand over mouth, threatening me not to say a word about what he did to anyone Apparently, he was related to the King's right hand man and had the power to ruin my life.
"Ryn
до
"What?" I jerked slightly, then I cleared my throat. "I mean, yes, your Highness."
"I asked if Coach Dutton did something else to you." Theon asked. "I heard he came to see you yesterday evening"
I looked away from his piercing blue gaze. "No. He didn't." I shook my head.
I
I felt the weight of Prince Theon's stare but I refused to meet his eyes. "Whatever it is, you can trust me."
Telt
Tears stung the back of my eyes. I wish I could confide in him
I forced a smile on my face and looked him in the eye. "Tut involving him in another drama was selfish. Besides, I couldn't get past the fact that I was just some project to the Prince and his interest in me was solely based on his fascination to fix broken girls.
fine. I promise."
Just then, my eyes landed on something opposite me. "Are those flowers?" I asked.
Yes."
T
many things while I I meant t nothing to
." Theon said and went to get them. "I picked it up on my way here and brought it for you." I stared at him like he was mad. No one had ever gotten flowers for me in my entire life and now I was angry. First, he's taking me to lunch, stalking me, doing a blood tranfusion, giving me his shirt, and now buying me flowers. I hate that he was becoming my "first" in to him. Still, I collected the flowers politely and brought them close to my nostrils, J "They You're welcome. Are smell really nice" I frowned. "Thank
Are they your favourites."
I swallowed. How do I let him know that I don't have favourites because I have never been in a position to receive flowers? "1 don't have favourites." I replied, truthfully. "I like anything that smells good." "Including ding food." Theon said and when I raised my eyes to meet his, I found a ghost of a smile on his face. "Yea. I
Gods.
That too." I replied, then a silence settled upon us as we stared at each other. I wondered what it would feel like if Prince Theon was my boyfriend.
I had to admit that being his project wasn't all that bad. I get to enjoy some perks that most girls would die to have. 1 just have to make sure that while he's still interested in fixing me, I won't fall in love with him. I will take whatever I can get, from him, use him even to achieve my goals but I will never fall in love with him. Guys like him will never choose girls like me and that is the Goddess truth. Someone knocked, causing me to break off my eye contact and when I saw who it was, my heart sank.
"Hi." Sadie waved shyly, dressed in a red sweater and blue jeans, holding a plastic bag.
"Hi." I replied, suddenly feeling guilty.
Sadie went to hug her Uncle and I watched how he kissed her forehead. Somehow, I felt a pang of jealousy. Would he ever go that far with me? I shook my head. I don't care. I'd rather he doesn't do it.
Saule Sadie
came to my bed and sat. "How are you? I came as soon as heard." She said, with concern.
"I'm fine. Prince Theon didn't need to bother you." I said, giving him a look behind her.
"Oh no. He didn't tell me." Sadie said. "Uncle Miro did."
I blinked in surprise.
"He said you'd like to see me and drove me here.
216
D
"He did?" Theon and I asked at the same time and Sadie nodded
"In fact, he asked me to give you this." Sadie said, digging into her bag and bringing out a food flask. "He said, you'd feel better after taking it." My mouth dropped open.
Did I wake up in an alternate reality? What the hell is going on?
I glanced a at Theon whose forehead creased in thought.
"You must have done a number on my Uncle for him to cook for you." Sadie giggled. "He doesn't cook for anyone besides Uncle Theon
"Oh." I
said.
"Where's Miro!" Theon suddenly asked.
"He's at the center." Sadie said.
Theon looked at me and nodded. "See you soon." And then he left.
We both watched him leave and then Sadie turned to me. "Hi." She beamed again. "I missed you."
I wondered if I should say it back. "I missed you too and I am sorry for being distant lately."
"It's okay. Uncle Miro told me everything."
I raised my brows. "He did?"
me.Content property of NôvelDra/ma.Org.
me.
Sadie nodded. "He told me he was the one who asked you to stay away from me, considering you're always getting in trouble. But that's okay. I told him he had no right and regardless of whatever trouble you get into, I'd still want to be your friend for as long as you'd have Tears stung the back of my eyes and I pulled Sadie into an embrace. She stiffened at first before embracing me with both hands. I had no words to say. They simply became tears that ran down my face. Before we pulled apart, 1 quickly wiped my face and planted a smile for her. we could talk" I said.
"Me too. And now to the gossip of the day." Her face turned serious. "Have you heard?"
"Heard what?" I asked warily.
"Howard Caine, the guy you put in a coma? He's awake and according to what I heard, he's been screaming your name nonstop."
THEON
Some days, I don't understand my brother because tell me why you would ask me to stay away from someone and then turn around to win her favor by cooking fucking chicken soup and driving over her friend? Hmm?
Does he want her? Is he trying to get me out of the way so he can have Ryn to himself? My brother can be many things but I have never known him to be a hypocrite.
Just as I was about to get to the center. I spotted my brother exiting with Coach Dutton in tow. The two were chatting animatedly and my brother even had a smile on his face as if they were friends.
12:22 FI, UCt 25
I frowned.
Since when did Miro and Dutton have a bromance?
I watched them enter my brother's car and decided I needed to see more for myself. Making sure I wasn't seen as they drove by, I got into my car and decided to tail them.
Two hours later, Miro and Dutton swerved off the highway onto a dirt path and some minutes later, they arrived at a hunting range
Since when did Dutton become Miro's hunting partner? I used to be his partner.
I parked out of sight and watched them alight, still chatting animatedly as if they had something interesting to discuss.
When they entered through the gate, I followed as well. The hunting range was a huge space where people could come to hunt a variety of animals specially bred for this reason. Some people liked to give in to their wolf and exercise by hunting prey in their wolf form. I found it highly disgusting but to each his own. Some came to shoot birds released in the air. Whatever hunting needs you have, the range catered to. I followed my brother and the coach to a place where people shot at wild turkeys and after they paid and went in. I paid too..
They each chose a weapon which was a gun and I chose one as well for the sake of my stalking. Then they went to an open field and began to hunt. For about half an hour, they walked the bush looking for prey and when they found one, they crouched behind a tree, watching like a hawk
When a turkey made its way to their line of vision, my brother aimed with his sniper rifle and pulled the trigger. The animal yelped before it landed in the field and Dutton looked ecstatic. Miro said something to him and Dutton became surprised. "For real?" He asked and Miro nodded..
Then Dutton dropped his gun and hurried across the field to get the turkey. I saw my brother grab his gun and aim through the scope and then it suddenly dawned on me. The turkey wasn't the real prey, it was Dutton
With his hand on the trigger, my brother was ready to shoot when he suddenly raised his head up. I also followed his gaze and saw that Dutton was running to the other end into the woods. "S***it!" Miro cursed and dropped his big rifle before rising to his feet and chasing after Dutton. Without wasting time, I followed after, making sure I wasn't heard nor noticed. arrived
When
when I
Why in
in the woods, I saw my brother looking around. By now he had pulled out his gun, and was sniffing the air for Dutton's scent. Then he moved in a certain direction and I followed.
in the world is my brother hunting Dutton? Did he do something wrong?
I decided to be a silent watcher of the events unfolding. Miro traced Dutton's scent to an old abandoned warehouse.
"I know you're in here." Miro's voice echoed. "So why don't you come out and let's talk?"
Miro was answered with silence for a moment, then we heard a clang and the scurrying of feet. Miro once again chased after the sound and once again I followed.
"Come on, now" Miro said, still poised with his gun, while taking quiet steps and searching everywhere. "This is not fun. I brought you here to have some fun. Tell you what. Come out and I won't hurt you too badly. Make me shift and it's over for
you,"
+
1 detected the dangerous edge to my brother's tone at the last statement and really hoped on Dutton's behalf that he would take my brother seriously. "How will I know you won't kill me?" A voice echoed from somewhere to Miro's left. .
"You don't." Miro huffed, "but for the sake of boredom, I pinky promise not to kill you if you show your face in the next 10 seconds."
"Ten"
You're still
still going to hurt me
"Yes, I very much will. Nine."
"What have I done?"
"Don't ask me that st*****id question. Seven."
"Five
"She told you, didn't she?"
My ears perked up,
"No she didn't but you forgot there are cameras everywhere especially the one facing the boys locker room. Three."
Two
Two
Then I saw him, holding a big iron pole. I don't know how he did it but he had managed to come up behind my brother.
"One" Miro counted.
"Quick. Get on the floor now!" I mindlinked my brother just as Dutton swung with all his might, Miro ducked in time, missing the hit to the back of his head by a few inches!
he missed, Dutton sta***ed forward and Miro was able to aim and pull the trigger, Dutton's right knee exploded in a sputter of blood and then he went down with a harrowing cry
Back!" He groaned, gripping his knee while glaring at Miro.
1 came out of hiding with my hands in my pockets and kicked the iron pole away.
"How did you-?" Miro asked, surprised.
"You were acting weird so I tailed you here."1 reply without taking my eyes off of Dutton. When he saw me, his demeanor changed from that of anger to one of distress.
"Your Highness! My Prince, please save
"What's your plan?" I mindlinked my brother.
BK
"Well, I had the intention of ripping out his tongue and watching him bleed out but nah. The bullet I used was silver. His knee is destroyed for life plus he's fired. I prefer he stays alive to suffer for his misdeeds. I'll call for an ambulance now."
Miro brought out his phone and made the call while Dutton's cries reduced to a whimper as he began to grow pale. Looking at him. I felt no pity for him and the more I imagined him forcing himself on Ryn, the angrier I became so I left the warehouse.
Not long after, the ambulance came and had Dutton transported and we gave back the guns we used and walked out with a little bit of blood splatter on us Walking back to his car, I stopped and turned to Miro. "How come you're not affected when you help Ryn? You literally
Miro leaned against his car. "Yes I can't help Ryn to win the Elite training. What has happened so far has nothing to do with that and removing Dutton from the picture is for the betterment of the Center, not just Ryn."
I nodded in understanding. "You still have to tell Dad what happened right?"
"Yes but he cannot blame her for anything. She's innocent."
I nodded once again and later when I got into my own car, I thought about Ryn and how she could never really catch a break.
Was I wrong for insisting on starting an evolution with Ryn? She's barely started and she's already facing so much opposition. What if I am the reason she's in danger?
I-sighed and turned on the ignition of my car. Just then, I received a text message and when I read the contents. I came
conclusion.
Ryn might not be the trouble Miro thinks she is.
She might actually be our salvation.